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re of the isle I thought that I discovered some traces of man。 I then proceeded to examine the surrounding objects with care； and I soon perceived that a European had undoubtedly been led to seek a refuge in this retreat。 Yet what changes had taken place in the scene of his labors！ The logs which he had hastily hewn to build himself a shed had sprouted afresh； the very props were intertwined with living verdure； and his cabin was transformed into a bower。 In the midst of these shrubs a few stones were to be seen； blackened with fire and sprinkled with thin ashes； here the hearth had no doubt been； and the chimney in falling had covered it with rubbish。 I stood for some time in silent admiration of the exuberance of Nature and the littleness of man： and when I was obliged to leave that enchanting solitude； I exclaimed with melancholy； 〃Are ruins； then； already here？〃
In Europe we are wont to look upon a restless disposition； an unbounded desire of riches； and an excessive love of independence； as propensities very formidable to society。 Yet these are the very elements which ensure a long and peaceful duration to the republics of America。 Without these unquiet passions the population would collect in certain spots； and would soon be subject to wants like those of the Old World； which it is difficult to satisfy； for such is the present good fortune of the New World； that the vices of its inhabitants are scarcely less favorable to society than their virtues。 These circumstances exercise a great influence on the estimation in which human actions are held in the two hemispheres。 The Americans frequently term what we should call cupidity a laudable industry； and they blame as faint…heartedness what we consider to be the virtue of moderate desires。
In France； simple tastes； orderly manners； domestic affections； and the attachments which men feel to the place of their birth； are looked upon as great guarantees of the tranquillity and happiness of the State。 But in America nothing seems to be more prejudicial to society than these virtues。 The French Canadians； who have faithfully preserved the traditions of their pristine manners； are already embarrassed for room upon their small territory； and this little community； which has so recently begun to exist； will shortly be a prey to the calamities incident to old nations。 In Canada； the most enlightened； patriotic； and humane inhabitants make extraordinary efforts to render the people dissatisfied with those simple enjoyments which still content it。 There； the seductions of wealth are vaunted with as much zeal as the charms of an honest but limited income in the Old World； and more exertions are made to excite the passions of the citizens there than to calm them elsewhere。 If we listen to their eulogies； we shall hear that nothing is more praiseworthy than to exchange the pure and homely pleasures which even the poor man tastes in his own country for the dull delights of prosperity under a foreign sky； to leave the patrimonial hearth and the turf beneath which his forefathers sleep； in short； to abandon the living and the dead in quest of fortune。
At the present time America presents a field for human effort far more extensive than any sum of labor which can be applied to work it。 In America too much knowledge cannot be diffused； for all knowledge； whilst it may serve him who possesses it； turns also to the advantage of those who are without it。 New wants are not to be feared； since they can be satisfied without difficulty； the growth of human passions need not be dreaded； since all passions may find an easy and a legitimate object； nor can men be put in possession of too much freedom； since they are scarcely ever tempted to misuse their liberties。
The American republics of the present day are like companies of adventurers formed to explore in common the waste lands of the New World； and busied in a flourishing trade。 The passions which agitate the Americans most deeply are not their political but their commercial passions； or； to speak more correctly； they introduce the habits they contract in business into their political life。 They love order； without which affairs do not prosper； and they set an especial value upon a regular conduct； which is the foundation of a solid business； they prefer the good sense which amasses large fortunes to that enterprising spirit which frequently dissipates them； general ideas alarm their minds； which are accustomed to positive calculations； and they hold practice in more honor than theory。
It is in America that one learns to understand the influence which physical prosperity exercises over political actions； and even over opinions which ought to acknowledge no sway but that of reason； and it is more especially amongst strangers that this truth is perceptible。 Most of the European emigrants to the New World carry with them that wild love of independence and of change which our calamities are so apt to engender。 I sometimes met with Europeans in the United States who had been obliged to leave their own country on account of their political opinions。 They all astonished me by the language they held； but one of them surprised me more than all the rest。 As I was crossing one of the most remote districts of Pennsylvania I was benighted； and obliged to beg for hospitality at the gate of a wealthy planter； who was a Frenchman by birth。 He bade me sit down beside his fire； and we began to talk with that freedom which befits persons who meet in the backwoods； two thousand leagues from their native country。 I was aware that my host had been a great leveller and an ardent demagogue forty years ago； and that his name was not unknown to fame。 I was； therefore； not a little surprised to hear him discuss the rights of property as an economist or a landowner might have done： he spoke of the necessary gradations which fortune establishes among men； of obedience to established laws； of the influence of good morals in commonwealths； and of the support which religious opinions give to order and to freedom； he even went to far as to quote an evangelical authority in corroboration of one of his political tenets。
I listened； and marvelled at the feebleness of human reason。 A proposition is true or false； but no art can prove it to be one or the other； in the midst of the uncertainties of science and the conflicting lessons of experience； until a new incident disperses the clouds of doubt； I was poor； I become rich； and I am not to expect that prosperity will act upon my conduct； and leave my judgment free； my opinions change with my fortune； and the happy circumstances which I turn to my advantage furnish me with that decisive argument which was before wanting。 The influence of prosperity acts still more freely upon the American than upon strangers。 The American has always seen the connection of public order and public prosperity； intimately united as they are； go on before his eyes； he does not conceive that one can subsist without the other； he has therefore nothing to forget； nor has he； like so many Europeans； to unlearn the lessons of his early education。
Chapter XVII： Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic Republic … Part II